New Year, New Season.

HAPPY 2020!

Hello everyone!

If you're like me, 2019 was quite a year. It was very busy, full of good, bad and...well, life. Last year, I moved twice, changed jobs twice, lost my grandmother, and got married. [Sharing a photo. :) ] So that's why I haven't been on the blog much. You see, it was one of those seasons in my life when I had to take a break from writing, to allow God to write a couple chapters in my life.

As a writer, it was hard for me to lay aside my author duties, because I felt like I was slacking off, being lazy, and losing ground. But my mind was just too tired and full of other things, so it was the right time for me to take a break.

And you know what I learned?

Life is full of many different seasons. And that's okay. In fact, God designs it that way. He was the one who created the four seasons of the yemar. Sometimes it is the season for the tree to bloom, sometimes to shed, sometimes to lie dormant. We too will go through seasons when we need to rest. Seasons when it is time to work and focus. There's no reason to feel guilty about that.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV)  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

This is a familiar verse, but I think the New Year is a good time to stop and ponder it, to prayerfully ask, "What season do you have me in, Lord? What role would you have me to take this year?" Perhaps there is something you need to give up, or rest from. Perhaps there is something you need to work harder at. Whatever it is, if you ask with a sincere heart, the Lord will guide you.

Dear Lord,
As I enter this New Year, please guide me. I want to bring honor to You and embrace the season you have for me. Please show me Your will for me this year, and help me to accomplish it. In Jesus Christ's name, amen.

Interview and #bookgiveaway with Susan G. Mathis!

Happy Saturday, friends! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Just in time for the Christmas reading season, we have Susan G. Mathis joining us to talk about her new Christmas book! Be sure to leave a comment to get your name in the drawing for that!

Welcome, Susan! I hear you have a new Christmas book out called Christmas Charity. Can you tell us about it?

Yes, Christmas Charity is my first novella (short novel). It’s about Susan Hawkins and Patrick O’Neill who find that an arranged marriage is much harder than they think, especially when they immigrate from Wolfe Island, Canada, to Cape Vincent, New York, in 1864, just a week after they marry—with Patrick’s nine-year-old daughter, Lizzy, in tow. Can twenty-three-year-old Susan Hawkins learn to love her forty-nine-year-old husband and find charity for her angry stepdaughter? She hopes so—and before Christmas comes.

How did you research your book?

My cousins did lots of research on our ancestry, and I did extensive research about the history and culture, the customs, and so much more. I also enjoyed visiting Wolfe Island, Canada, and Cape Vincent, NY several times, and have made friends in both places. This past August my hubby and I spent two weeks enjoying the area, visiting Wolfe Island, Pullman Island, Dark Island, Cape Vincent, Clayton, and Alex Bay. It has become our annual pilgrimage from Colorado Springs to this island paradise.

Tell us about the Thousand Islands, the setting for your novels.

The Thousand Islands is 1,864 islandsthat straddle the Canada–US border in the Saint Lawrence River as it emerges from the northeast corner of Lake Ontario. They stretch for about 50 miles downstream from Kingston, Ontario. The Canadian islands are in the province of Ontario and the U.S. islands in the state of New York.

During the gilded age of the thousand islands (1874–1912) wealthy summer residents built summer homes, castles and mansions, and the region retains a historically important collection of vacation homes from this time. Several grand hotels provided luxurious accommodations while steamboats offered extensive tours among the islands. 

Among the lavish homes built during this time were several castles, some of which remain as international landmarks. The region's first was built on Pullman Island, the setting for my first novel that comes out in March. "The Towers" on Dark Island, now called Singer Castle, is the setting for the novel I’m working on now.

Who is your main character?

Susan is the nine-year-old girl from my debut novel, The Fabric of Hope: An Irish Family Legacy. Susan is all grown up now and enjoying teaching on Wolfe Island. But when her parents betroth to a man twenty-six years her elder and the new family moves to Cape Vincent, NY, just days after the wedding, life gets tough, especially when she becomes an instant stepmother.

How much of yourself you write into your characters?

Christmas Charityis loosely based on my family story—my great grandparents, Susan and Patrick, although naughty little Lizzy is a creation of my imagination. Ten-year-old Susan from my debut novel, The Fabric of Hope: An Irish Family Legacy, is now twenty-three and unexpectedly marries Patrick, a forty-nine year old widower. Not only is Patrick’s kind personality similar to my husband’s, but also my family story is woven into the novella.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

The characters are the actual names of my ancestors, except Lizzy.

What's your next project?

Katelyn’s Choicereleases on March 15^thwith Lighthouse Publishing, and it’s the first in the Thousand Islands Gilded Age series! 

It’s the story of nineteen-year-old Katelyn Kavanagh who leaves her family’s struggling farm to work on Pullman Island for the famous George Pullman. There she finds herself serving powerful men such as President Ulysses S. Grant, and Generals Sherman and Sheridan—and falling in love with her best friend’s brother. Katelyn gains popularity with some of her friends by spilling the sensitive high society gossip she’s privy to. But when she overhears a possibly damaging presidential conversation, she knows she can’t tell anyone. She could lose her job—and endanger the president’s 1872 reelection—and jeopardize her relationship with the man of her dreams. Still, the scandalous news just keeps begging to be told…

What are you working on now? 

I’m having a blast, writing book two in the Thousand Islands Gilded Age series, this time about Singer Castle on Dark Island. I hope it’ll release next summer, but I need to finish writing it first! 

I’ve been posting photos on Facebook that we took while at the castle this past summer and asking friends to tell me about them. It’s been so much fun and has given me so many great ideas. Friend me on Facebook and let’s get connected!

How can we get your books?

They’re available in paperback and as e-books on Amazon and Barnes&Nobles. Here are the links: Christmas Charity and The Fabric of Hope. 

Website: www.SusanGMathis.com

How can readers find you on the Internet? I’m at www.SusanGMathis.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SusanGMathis/, on Twitter at https://twitter.com/@SusanGMathis, on Pinterest at https://www.pinterest.com/susangmathisaut, on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6044608.Susan_G_Mathis, and on Google+ at https://plus.google.com/u/0/108568340293012416399

Thank you so much for joining us today, Susan!

Readers, leave a comment for Susan to get your name in the drawing for Christmas Charity! Winner announced in the December 3rd edition of the Weekly Windup.

Weekly Windup: Comment to Win Christmas Charity by Susan G. Mathis

  Welcome to the Weekly Windup! We have a winner to announce!

Winner of Solve by Christmas by Amber Schamel (ebook) is...Faith Creech! Congratulations!

If you are a winner, please Contact Us with your email address to claim your prize.

This Week's Giveaway: 

Christmas Charity (ebook) by Susan G. Mathis

Susan Hawkins and Patrick O’Neill find that an arranged marriage is much harder than they think, especially when they emigrate from Wolfe Island, Canada, to Cape Vincent, New York, in 1864, just a week after they marry—with Patrick’s nine-year-old daughter, Lizzy, in tow. Can twenty-three-year-old Susan Hawkins learn to love her forty-nine-year-old husband and find charity for her angry stepdaughter?
Check it out on Amazon

Be sure to leave comments throughout the week to get your name in the drawing. Giveaway ends December 2nd. Winner will be announced in the December 3rd edition of the Weekly Windup.

Coming up this week:

Monday, 11/19: Giving Thanks by Carole Brown
Tuesday, 11/20: America's First Unknown by Terri Wangard
Wednesday, 11/21: TBA
Thursday, 11/22: Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday, 11/23: Mr. Bamberger and the Macy's Parade by Linda Shenton
Matchett
Saturday, 11/24: Interview with Susan Mathis

Weekly Windup: Still Time to Enter for Solve by Christmas by Amber Schamel

  Welcome to the Weekly Windup! There's still time to get your name in the drawing for Solve by Christmas, a fun and inspirational mystery set in Denver during the great blizzard of 1913.

If you are a winner, please Contact Us with your email address to claim your prize.

This Week's Giveaway: 

Solve by Christmas by Amber Schamel (ebook)

 Winner of the 2018 Christian Indie Award for Historical Fiction.

When sabotage threatens the Rudin Sugar Factory, Detective Jasper Hollock believes this will be his first real case. But dear Mr. Rudin—the only father Jasper has ever known—holds a different assignment for his private investigator.

“I’ve struck a deal with God, Jasper, and you’re my angel.”

Mr. Rudin charges Jasper to build a “case” of reasons for his employer to continue his life. If he fails, Mr. Rudin will end it in suicide on Christmas night.

As the incidents at the factory become life threatening, Jasper’s attempts at dissuading Mr. Rudin prove futile, and Jasper is left staring at the stark reality of his own soul. Time is ticking. Jasper must solve both cases by Christmas before Mr. Rudin, the company, and Jasper’s faith, are dragged to perdition. Will this be the Christmas Jasper truly discovers what makes life worth living?

Be sure to leave comments throughout the week to get your name in the drawing. Giveaway ends November 18th. Winner will be announced in the November 19th edition of the Weekly Windup.

Coming up this week:

Monday, 11/12: A Devotion by Catherine Castle
Tuesday, 11/13: Hollywood Gold by Linda Shenton Matchett
Wednesday, 11/14: Pickle Day by Shirley Raye Redmond
Thursday, 11/15: A book review by Jenn Fromke
Friday, 11/16: TBA
Saturday, 11/17: TBA

Fall Fun & Festivities

Ah, Autumn. It's one of those seasons that people either absolutely LOVE or HATE.

 For me, I love this time of year. The crisp weather, the sweaters and scarves, hot drinks, permission to start thinking and talking about Christmas...Sigh.

Autumn colors I captured while in New Brunswick this year.

Now my brother on the other hand? He could almost go into depression this time of year. The days get shorter, more clouds, rain/sleet/snow and storms, the COLD...where did all the sunshine go?

Maine autumn colors for you.

But whether you love fall or hate it, you have to admit that there is a lot of fun and festivities that go on. Hay rides, all the fresh veggies sold at stands, people tend to have fall parties, craft fairs...it seems everyone is trying to get their socialization in before Winter sets in and no one wants to go out.

Perfect place to curl up with coffee or hot cider.

One of my favorite activities during the fall season is just taking a trip to the mountains, or a walk around the neighborhood, just to admire the changing of the leaves. It's such a beautiful reminder of the cycle of life and God's promise of resurrection in the Spring. I stand in awe when I think of how deeply that type goes. The leaves are dying, and yet in their death they are beautiful. They fall to the ground and become compost for the trees around them. In the same way, our lives are most beautiful when we fully die out to ourselves and allow ourselves to be in service to God and others.

Home, sweet home.
Fall in Colorado with Pike's Peak in the background.

So what about you? Do you love fall, or don't? 

What are your favorite festivities for this time of year?

Leave a comment to get your name in the drawing for an ebook copy of my holiday book, Solve by Christmas!

Travel Fun: The Most Beautiful McDonalds

Okay, I know, beautiful and McDonalds don't usually go together. But sometimes on our travels, we run into unexpected wonders. I thought I'd share one of those with you today. So hold on just a second while this travel nerd shares one of my favorite spots in Maine. :)

 On our recent trip to New England, we discovered a McDonalds in Freeport, Maine. And I tell you that it is the most beautiful McDonalds I've ever seen. And I've seen a LOT of McDonalds buildings in my day. I've seen the one with the two-level play area and arcade, I've seen the old-fashioned ones with the original golden arches...but this one. Oh my!

It had very little of the traditional franchise McD's that you usually see, and instead had an antique Victorian or Colonial feel. I've literally never had so much fun ordering a McCafe Caramel Cappuccino and sipping it as I did that morning!

The above picture is from the backside of the building. You can see the drive though window if you look closely.

Look at the McDonalds sign above the door!
I figure the unique look of this McDonalds must have something to do with the covenants in Freeport, although I have no idea what those are. The town of Freeport is where the  L.L. Bean retailer originated, so that's what they are best known for. But to be quite honest, I was more impressed with the McDonalds than the L.L. Bean store. LOL.

And this was the front side entrance. The white pillars, the trim, everything was gorgeous! I was all heart-eye-emojis as I walked inside wondering if the inside would be consistent with the exterior. Guess what? It was!

That round table in front of the fireplace is where we sat to enjoy our coffee and fries. Because who goes to McDonalds and doesn't get some fries, right?

Let me tell you, if I lived near here, this would be a great writing spot. 

 

And just look at that sign. So cute.

So if you're ever near Freeport Maine, you know where to stop for a mid-morning snack. :) I hope you enjoyed seeing this unique American establishment as much as I did.

 Have you ever seen a unique McDonalds? I would love to hear about it!

Weekly Windup: Enter to win The Captain's Challenge by Elaine Manders

 Welcome to the Weekly Windup! 

Winner of Dawn of Liberty by Amber Schamel is...Connie Porter Saunders!

If you are a winner, please Contact Us with your email address to claim your prize.


This Week's Giveaway: 

  The Captain's Challenge (ebook) by Elaine Manders

Gillian Carey has spent the last eight years studying music in England. During that time, the American civil war has claimed two brothers and her mother. Another brother is still missing. She returns to her Georgia home and a dangerous world with her family hiding secrets and her father a broken and brooding man. She turns to Alex Blaine, a union captain, rooming in her ancestral home, to find her missing brother, not realizing Alex is investigating her father for insurrection.
An army intelligence officer, Alex is on a dangerous assignment to identify anarchists responsible for the unrest in post-civil war Georgia, and all clues lead to Gillian’s father. Alex is attracted to the spirited redhead, but he has secrets of his own other than his army mission. He may have been responsible for her missing brother’s death.
As Alex races against time to expose an enemy bent on starting another war, Gillian is torn between her loyalty to her family and her growing love for the handsome captain. Is he worthy of her trust, or will he betray her as others have?

Check it out on Amazon

Be sure to leave comments throughout the week to get your name in the drawing. Giveaway ends October 21st. Winner will be announced in the October 22nd edition of the Weekly Windup.

Coming up this week:

Tuesday, October 9: Strike! by Linda Shenton Matchett
Thursday, October 11: Thoughtful Thursday - A book review by Jenn Fromke

Boston and All Its Wonders

Good morning, friends! Amber coming to you today from the backseat of the traveling van.

There's nothing quite like visiting a place you have read, dreamed, and even written books about. Especially if you're visiting that place for the first time. This week, that's where I find myself. In the heart of New England experiencing all the history I have only read about. From the streets of Boston to the lighthouses of Maine, I am so excited to be standing where so much history and so much beauty converge!

So today I thought I'd upload a couple of pictures just to tell you what I've been up to.

Replica of the Boston Tea Party ships

We had the privilege of visiting the Boston Tea Party museum, where we saw the only surviving tea chest from the Boston Tea Party.

Posing with my buddy Sam Adams at Griffens Wharf

We've also seen the site of the Boston Massacre, Old North Church, the Paul Revere house, Lexington common, and the gravesite of Sam Adams.

Inside the Old South Meeting House

One stop that has been SUPER cool for me, is hearing the echoes of the halls where Samuel Adams made many of his speeches during the struggle for independence: the Old South Meeting house as well as Faneuil Hall.

Faneuil Hall

 Studying the life of Sam Adams was so much fun and so inspiring. The man was a dedicated Christian and a passionate patriot. Writing Dawn of Liberty was an honor, bringing this ambiguous character to life on the page. Since then, I have longed to walk the streets of Boston and see the city he so loved. Actually being here is surreal.

If you'd like to see more pictures and tidbits from our trip, you can join our newsletter. 

In the mean time, leave a comment to get your name in this week's drawing for an ebook edition of Dawn of Liberty!

Weekly Windup: Enter to Win Dawn of Liberty by Amber Schamel

Welcome to the Weekly Windup! We have a winner to announce. 

Winner of Before I Knew You by Beth Steury is...Marilyn R.!
Congratulations!




If you are a winner, please Contact Us with your email address to claim your prize.


This Week's Giveaway: 

Dawn of Liberty (ebook) by Amber Schamel

Amber is on a family vacation this week...IN BOSTON! To mark this exciting visit, she is giving away an ebook copy of her book, Dawn of Liberty which is about Samuel Adams, a Boston native. If you'd like to follow the adventures of Amber's trip to New England, you can sign up for her author newsletter where she will be sharing pictures and tidbits along the way.

2017 CSPA Book of the Year Award Winner – Historical Fiction category

Liberty comes with a price. Can a fledgling nation bear the cost?

British forces advance upon a struggling colonial army. The time of decision has come. Declare independence, or give up the fight. The weight of a nation rests on Samuel Adams' shoulders as he joins the delegates of the Second Continental Congress. Can he raise the cause of Liberty above the fear of the King's wrath in the hearts of his countrymen?

Three riveting short stories follow Samuel Adams as he struggles through the events surrounding the Declaration of Independence and evokes the Dawn of Liberty.

Check it out on Amazon

Be sure to leave comments throughout the week to get your name in the drawing. Giveaway ends October 7th. Winner will be announced in the October 8th edition of the Weekly Windup.

Coming up this week:

Tuesday, 10/2: History behind "A Heart for Freedom" with Janet Grunst

Wednesday, 10/3: Boston and all its Wonders with Amber Schamel

Thursday, 10/4: ACFW New Releases

Friday, 10/5: Toby's Troubles: A Ghost, A Thief, and a Girl with Carole Brown

Saturday, 10/6: Meet Mrs. Gruener from "The Cumberland Bride"

Interview and Giveaway with Kathleen L. Maher

 Happy Saturday everyone! I'm excited to introduce you to an author I have known 'virtually' for most of my writing career, Kathleen Maher. I was first introduced to her writing through her novella Bachelor Buttons, which was a really great story and hooked me on her writing. She now has released not just one but TWO books this month and is here to share the joy with us at Stitches Thru Time. 

Welcome Kathleen! We're so glad you could visit us today. Tell us about your book.

Thank you Amber!  It’s such a thrill to be here and share about my new arrivals. I have twin book babies, actually. One is a Civil War romance The Abolitionist’s Daughter, and the other is a novella in Barbour’s beautiful new Victorian Christmas Brides collection.

 

Where did the inspiration for your story come from?

 Both stories center on history from my hometown Elmira, NY.  Elmira is little known, but played key parts in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and in women’s rights. I felt this history was in danger of obscurity, and wanted to capture it in story.

That sounds fascinating. What was the funnest thing about writing this story?

I love research and visiting sites and talking with people who have kept history alive. But hands down, the biggest thrill for me was learning of a group of people dedicated to creating a museum to preserving and promoting local history. Kindred spirits! I just recorded a brief video on site of the Elmira Civil War Prison Camp Museum. It can be found on my facebook author page FB.com/KLMaherAuthor

How does your faith and spirituality work in with your writing? 

History really is the story of God’s courtship with the human race, and to tell stories without that heavenly hand of influence would be revisionist or lacking, in my opinion. I see even in academic texts and first-person narratives the work of Divine Providence. It is my delight to show the ways I have seen the Lord work, even in the stories of fictional people. God is always righting wrongs, and lending aid and guidance when we get tangled in our human folly! It can be tragic or funny, or just plain inspiring. I love it when God hits a home run!

Why did you choose this genre?

Romance appeals to every part of my heart. I believe God’s relationship with us is a divine romance, and the love of a woman and a man symbolizes the ways He attempts to woo us and capture our hearts.

And for me, there is a nostalgic thrill in exploring times past, where people were more connected to animals and nature and simplicity. I love a hero who works hard with his hands, loves animals, and proves himself to his woman!

What are you working on next? 

I have already written the sequel to my Civil War romance and will be editing it for Indie publication. I also have a few novella proposals out that I hope to hear back on. But I’m really excited about an idea I’ve been working on—it’s a departure for me. It’s a comedic romance, something on the order of Shrek meets the Princess Bride, with a Medieval setting. I hope to write it as a playfully satirical look at how people with disabilities have been viewed in times past and even today, exposing superstitions, ignorance and misunderstanding. I guess all of my works have a social awareness message.

 

Oh wow. That's very interesting. Looks like you have some great stuff going on. Thank you so much for being with us! 

Thanks Amber! It’s been a pleasure being your guest.

I’m offering a giveaway of winner’s choice of one of my books, plus a rafflecopter during my blog tour now through November. http://gvwy.io/48sxkxc

Would love to chat with your readers a bit. QUESTION: What story or movie tugged on your heartstrings about a social justice issue? Did it change your perspective?

Good luck to everyone! 

About Kathleen:

Kathleen L. Maher has had an infatuation with books and fictional heroes ever since her preschool crush, Peter Rabbit. She has a novella releasing with BARBOUR in the 2018 Victorian Christmas Brides collection, featuring her hometown of Elmira, New York. Her debut historical, Bachelor Buttons, blends her Irish heritage and love of the American Civil War. She won the 2012 ACFW Genesis contest for her Civil War story, releasing this summer under a new title The Abolitionist’s Daughter. Kathleen shares an old farmhouse in upstate New York with her husband, children, and a small zoo of rescued animals.

Follow Kathleen

on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KLMaherAuthor/

on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Mahereenie

and on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/kathleenlmaher